Jack's Dilemma

Hi Greyce, I’m a big, nine year old guy who is adjusting to a new home and I have a LOT of questions for you, related to three different matters: urine marking, a canine surprise, and feline rivalry. But first I’ll tell you a bit about myself.


I’d been in the SPCA shelter for several months housed together with Annabelle, a much smaller and somewhat older cat (age 10 years). Because shelter staff said we get along and because my new purrsons thought I could use the company, Annabelle and I moved together – about 10 days ago.

Guess Why I Won't Use the Box.

Dear Greyce, I'm a 8+ year old, orange tabby who is affectionate and playful though skitterish at the noise from construction outside. I'm an only cat doted on by two adult purrsons. I don't want to use my litter box and my purrsons don't like that. Here's the situation:


I go outside on a harness and leash when the weather is nice. Last fall I developed a prefurrence for going to the bathroom outside. I really like to use the garden or the dirt by the back fence for my toilet. But the folks think I should like the stuff they have provided inside the house, especially in the winter when they believe it is too cold to go outdoors.


I had two, uncovered litter boxes: a large one on the basement landing near a wall, and a smaller one on the main floor bathroom beside the washing machine; with the good weather and the chance to do my business outdoors, the small box has disappeared. There used to be liners in my boxes but, thank goodness, that is a thing of the past - since I caught one of my claws in one! My litter is that fine to medium, unscented, clumping clay type. I like my boxes to be kept clean and my folks comply. I really, really, really DON'T want to use these boxes!

I used to go anywhere in my box, dig a bit, do my business and then cover it. Now I go near the edge of the box and don't cover. Sometimes I will sniff the box and the run away. Right now, if I need to pee I hold it until the folks come home and put me in the box. Yes Greyce, they put me in the box and only then will I go (because I have no alternative and I'm in need). When I have to poop I get all puffed up and when I feel I'm about to go, I bolt through the house and find a spot upstairs on which to deposit my waste.


I am in pretty decent health (though the vet is after to me lose some weight), but I had a problem with my stomach a long time ago because of something I ate. I have had no history of urinary infections or diarrhea. I've also been given some new food to deal with constipation issues.


Greyce, this problem is driving us all nuts. I'm hoping you'll be able to help. Max.

The Pungent Scents of Comfort. Urine Marking #1: An Introduction

Dear Readers, Recently I've been contacted by two feline pairs (Moby and Mick; and Bear and his sister, Bailey) about similar problems. In each case, one of the pair has suddenly started a pee fest. By pee fest I mean urine marking outside the box -- either in the form of spray against vertical surfaces like walls and furnishings, or puddles against horizontal ones like bed comforters and floors. The source of the problem in both cases seems to be one of two things: the relationship between the cats in the household and/or the presence of other cats outside. So over the next few weeks, I'm going to do a series about this kind of marking and these kinds of causes.

Here is my plan. I'll start with this entry on urine marking in general:
- what it is,
- its causes,
- what distinguishes it from failure to use the litterbox, and
- why urine testing is often advised.

In my next entry on this subject, I'll discuss the biggest cause of marking: territorial threat. And then I'll take each type of territorial threat and look, in detail, at possible solutions. Another entry will be devoted to cleaning urine marks which is of no interest to any of you whatsoever, but is likely to find favour with your purrsons. I'm also looking at the possibility of doing a piece each on urine sampling and testing, and on medications used to deal with marking. And finally, I'll show you how to develop an action plan should you need one.

A Painful Drop - Part 4 of Litterbox Blues

After supervising leaf-raking in the backyard, I thought I'd climb up on Himself's chest so the two of us could snooze together. Alas such was not to be, for over the wires came a cry for help.Twila a two-year old tabby was in distress.

"Oh Greyce," she lamented. "My people are so thick I am at my wit's end. For the past day I just hate using the litter box. I feel the urge, get in the box and only a drop comes out. And it's soooooooo painful! Just when I think it if over, I get that urge again . . . and again. My people are so pre-occupied that I can't get my message across. What do I do now?"